Özet:

COVID-19 was declared pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020. Due to the high infectiousness of the disease, changes have been made in the supply of health services around the world, health authorities have called for the reduction of hospital applications except for emergency reasons. Restrictions to prevent viral spread, concerns about the uncertainty of the disease, the guidance of health professionals to the tracking, treatment and care of infected patients, the lack of personal protective equipment and the financial difficulties caused by the pandemic have led to a sharp decline in access to non-COVID-19 health services. The population most affected by this situation caused by COVID-19 was undoubtedly children. As a result of changes in the health service offer, the health services of the mother and child have become sectored, the immunity rates have decreased considerably. The closure of clinics to be able to interfere with infected patients, the conversion of bed services and surgical rooms into intensive care has caused delays in the diagnosis and treatment of acute or chronic diseases in children. Children with chronic illness have experienced a lack of medication or medical equipment, children in need of rehabilitation services have not received supporting care. Also, with the closure of schools, mental health services are continuing. Reduced rates of access to health services may have negative consequences on childhood mortality and morbidity throughout the world, mainly in low and medium-income countries. In Turkey, it is important to study the data in the world in terms of the maintenance of child health benefits and the planning of health services. Therefore, in this collection, the aim is to study the effects of reduced access to health services in the global epidemic process on the health of children.

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